97 
THE VIPER IN CAPTIVITY. 
Vipera ( Pelias ) berus 
BY ELLEN GALLWEY. 
On 5th August, 1932, “ Victoria,” a fine specimen measuring 
22 ins., was caught in Saddell, Ivintyre, Argyllshire, by Dr. N. 
Morrison, of Campbeltown, who very kindly sent her to me 
on 5th September. At first she seemed to be very irritable, 
and hissed on the slightest provocation but after the first 
three weeks, i.e. seven weeks after capture, the hissing ceased. 
The temperature was about 60 degrees F., varying slightly 
from day to day ; Sphagnum covered the floor of half of her 
cage, and hay the other, whilst two or three elder branches were 
secured at an angle. A saucer of water, from which she occasion- 
ally drank freely, was always present, and she was forcibly fed 
once a week on raw hen egg, administered in the usual way. 
She seldom lay about on the sphagnum, but seemed to be 
quite at home on the hay. No inclination to hibernation was 
shown. 
She was handled every day, and at first resented the 
familiarity, but later allowed it. Victoria seemed to enjoy 
being stroked, as much as a snake can enjoy anything, and 
sometimes she would remain motionless, her head resting flat, 
whilst it was gently rubbed, or sit upright whilst her throat 
was tickled, just as Dr. Morrison records in his most interesting 
and instructive book, ‘ The Life Story of the Adder/ published 
by Alexander Gardner, Ltd., Paisley, 1924, p. 87. 
Her excellent physical condition was maintained throughout, 
she seemed exceedingly friendly, or perhaps I should say 
tolerant, until 16th February, 1933, and was anything but 
‘ languid, listless and sluggish/ She seemed ‘ the perfect 
pet ’ and was allowed every privilege, often accompanying me. 
On 15th February, a black tom cat was in the Museum 
and a strong catty odour was prevailing when Victoria was 
taken from her cage next morning to be fed. After the 
removal of the funnel, she suddenly slipped my light grip 
and jumped deliberately 2 feet 6 ins. from the table top to 
the floor and promptly struck out at my ankles but missed. 
She straightway recoiled the latter part of her body, then 
struck out again, but just too late. She then stopped perfectly 
still for a few moments as if considering, then, although I was 
standing motionless about three feet away from her, she came 
quickly towards me with head raised about 4 ins. above the 
ground, jaws gaping wide open, displaying her erected fangs, and 
struck again at my ankles, a fraction of a second too late. 
She was evidently in a rage, and she sat back again, the latter 
part of her body slightly coiled, and the former raised about 
4 ins. above the ground, swaying steadily from side to side in 
true cobra fashion, for some minutes. Throughout her 
activities she never once hissed. 
1933 May 1 e 
MAY 15 ’933 
